RAPAPORT... The US polished-diamond trade slowed in April, with imports
declining and exports stable. The drop in import value reflects both a lower volume
and average price.

US Diamond Trade Data for April 2019

Millions unless stated otherwise

Apr 2019

Year-on-year change

Polished imports

$1,496

-20%

Polished exports

$1,501

7%

Net polished imports

$-5

2018: Surplus of $464M

Rough imports

$28

-39%

Rough exports

$9

-85%

Net rough imports

$19

2018: Deficit of $15M

Net diamond account

$14

- 97%

Polished imports: volume

682,140 carats

-9%

Average price of polished imports

$2,193/carat

-12%

Millions unless stated otherwise

Jan-Apr 2019

Year-on-year change

Polished imports

$7,006

-2%

Polished exports

$6,532

1%

Net polished imports

$474

-33%

Rough imports

$141

-41%

Rough exports

$138

-32%

Net rough imports

$3

-93%

Net diamond account

$477

- 36%

Polished imports: volume

3.1 million carats

3%

Average price of polished imports

$2,251/carat

-5%

Source: US Census Bureau; Rapaport archives

About the data: The US,
the world’s largest diamond retail market, is a net importer of polished. As
such, net polished imports — representing polished imports
minus polished exports — will usually be a positive number. Net rough
imports — calculated as rough imports minus rough exports — will also
generally be in surplus. The nation has no operational diamond mines but has a
manufacturing sector, so normally ships more rough in than out. The net
diamond account is total rough and polished imports minus total
exports. It is the US’s diamond trade balance, and shows the added value the
nation creates by importing — and ultimately consuming — diamonds.
Image: The west end of the New York diamond district at the corner of 47th Street and 6th Avenue. (Tdorante 10)